TWR is a legendary name with strong links to Jaguar – especially the XJ-S – so if you’re going to start a new company with the goal of building a restomodded XJ-S, it’s not a bad place to start. Although the motorsport-led TWR ceased to exist in 2002, the name has been brought back by Tom Walkinshaw’s son, Fergus, who has just unveiled the TWR Supercat. This new ‘Super-GT’ takes its foundations from the Jaguar XJ-S but has been entirely re-engineered.
TWR, or Tom Walkinshaw Racing, played a pivotal role in Jaguar’s storied racing history, particularly during the Group C era. Under Tom Walkinshaw’s leadership, TWR achieved victories including the European Touring Car Championship, Bathurst 1000, and the Le Mans 24 Hours, where Jaguar’s XJR-9 claimed the outright win in 1988.
Almost 40 years after my father’s original company dominated the racetrack, we’ve brought the TWR name roaring back with our new Supercat. Our debut product, designed as an authentic, analogue Super-GT for the committed driving enthusiast, has been developed for over three years by some of modern motorsport’s brightest talent.
The Supercat retains the classic XJS’s basic bones, but incorporates modern engineering and materials. At its heart is a supercharged 660bhp V12 engine, developed in-house by TWR, producing 538 lb ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels.
To manage the dramatic increase in power, significant structural modifications have been carried out to the shell – with an integrated tubular steel structure. A lightweight carbon fibre body reduces its overall weight to 1605kg, nearly 10% lighter than the original XJ-S. Further refinements include double wishbone suspension with active dynamic damping, an optional carbon-ceramic braking system, and fully programmable driving modes that allow for fine-tuning of the car’s behaviour.
The design, overseen by Khyzyl Saleem, gives the Supercat a far more aggressive stance while paying homage to its Jaguar roots. Re-profiled flying buttresses, a re-engineered rear splitter, and other aerodynamic tweaks were developed with input from a former Mercedes-Benz F1 aerodynamicist. The result is a design that combines classic Jaguar elegance with modern aerodynamic efficiency.
Inside, the cabin has been thoroughly modernised, blending contemporary materials and technology with nods to the XJ-S’s heritage. A digital multimedia interface supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while carbon fibre-backed leather seats are offered in both modern and classic finishes. The rear seats have been replaced with extended luggage space, maintaining the car’s GT credentials.
Fergus Walkinshaw, Director and Founder, TWR commented: ‘Almost 40 years after my father’s original company dominated the racetrack, we’ve brought the TWR name roaring back with our new Supercat. Our debut product, designed as an authentic, analogue Super-GT for the committed driving enthusiast, has been developed for over three years by some of modern motorsport’s brightest talent. Built on the foundations of the classic Jaguar XJS, it uses modern materials and production methods, plus our in-house supercharged V12, to deliver a visceral, immersive driving experience on the road and the track. With production limited to just 88 examples and every car individually commissioned, it’s a chance to own something truly unique and personal, rooted in motorsport history but completely contemporary in its design, engineering and performance.’
Production of the TWR Supercat will be limited to just 88 units, a nod to Tom Walkinshaw’s 1988 Le Mans victory with the XJR-9. Prices start at £225,000, and the first customer deliveries are expected in the summer of 2025.
